No. 51.
Mr. Scruggs
to Mr. Fish.
Bogotá, April 8, 1876. (Received May 9.)
Sir: Señor Don Aquileo Parra, the new president-elect of this republic, was formally inaugurated as chief executive of the nation on the 1st instant.
The diplomatic and consular body having been previously invited to take part in the inaugural ceremonies, met at this legation at the hour of 11½ a.m., on the day named, and at 12 m. proceeded in a body, conducted by the under secretary for foreign affairs, to the capitol building.
The senators and representatives, in joint session in the hall of the latter, awaited our arrival, and received us sitting. We were conducted to reserved seats on the floor of the hall in the rear of the senators, but in front of the representatives.
A few moments later the president-elect, under escort of a joint committee of both houses, entered the hall; the members all rising to receive him. He was conducted to the speaker’s stand, beside the presiding officer.
The latter delivered an elaborate introductory address of nearly an hour’s duration. At its conclusion, Señor Parra delivered his inaugural speech. It was quite brief in comparison with the preceding discourse; and, for this country, singularly plain and practical.
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No oath of office was administered. The president’s inaugural address concluded the ceremonies; after which he retired under military escort to the executive mansion. The diplomatic and consular body followed soon afterward, and, upon entering the grand reception-hall of the mansion, where the president awaited us, the American minister resident, as dean of the diplomatic corps, made the usual congratulatory address in Spanish.
In a special message to the senate, on the same day, the president submitted the following nominations to cabinet positions: Dr. Manuel Ancizar to be secretary of interior and foreign relations, Señor Carlos N. Rodriguez to be secretary of treasury, and General Rafael Niño to be secretary of war and navy. The nomination of a secretary of finance and public improvements (“Hacienda y Fomento”) is withheld for the [Page 87] present. The attorney-general, Dr. Ramon Gomez, was, under the provisions of the constitution, elected by joint ballot of both houses of Congress some days since.
The new administration enters upon its duties in the face of a very powerful opposition within the ranks of its own political party, and a grave mistake, during the first six months, may prove fatal to its existence and to the peace of the country.
I have, &c.,